For Him, I Stayed

Note:
"FINALLY MADE ANOTHER ONE"

Warning:
Wholesome :)
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Chapter 15: "Pieces of Us"

The days following that night seemed to pass in a blur. Ray wasn't sure if it was the storm still hanging heavy in his chest or if it was the weight of the words they had exchanged-Matthew's promise that he wouldn't leave, Ray's quiet admission that he was scared-but everything felt different. Lighter. And heavier. The air around him seemed charged with an electricity he couldn't quite explain.

It wasn't perfect, but it was progress. That was the word Ray kept coming back to. Progress. Even now, as he walked alongside Matthew through the hallways of school the next day, their steps in sync, their shoulders brushing occasionally, Ray could feel the weight of everything shifting. They weren't back to normal. Not yet. But they were getting there.

The conversations they'd had the night before still echoed in Ray's mind. They hadn't spoken much after Matthew had gently pressed Ray to let him in. Ray didn't have all the answers, didn't know what would happen next, but for the first time, he wasn't drowning in uncertainty. Matthew had made it clear-he wasn't going anywhere.

And for once, Ray believed him.

---

The school day was a blur of classes, lunch, and half-hearted conversations with other students. Ray couldn't focus on much other than Matthew, his mind wandering back to the moments they shared the night before.

When the final bell rang, signifying the end of the school day, Ray and Matthew met by the lockers like they always did. This time, however, it was different. There was a shift in the air. Ray wasn't sure how he knew, but he felt it in the way Matthew looked at him. There was something in his eyes-a softness, a depth-that hadn't been there before.

"Hey," Matthew greeted with a slight smile, leaning against the lockers, his arms crossed.

Ray returned the smile but couldn't quite mask the nerves he was feeling. "Hey."

Matthew studied him for a moment, his gaze lingering. "You okay? You seem a little off today."

Ray swallowed, his heart suddenly beating faster. He wasn't sure how to answer that. The truth was, he was anything but okay. He felt like everything inside him was jumbled-like he wanted to tell Matthew so much more than he was ready to. But he didn't know how.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ray lied, rubbing the back of his neck, suddenly self-conscious. "Just... thinking, I guess."

Matthew didn't seem convinced. He raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what?"

Ray hesitated. Should he tell Matthew what was really on his mind? The fear, the doubt that still gnawed at him, despite everything that had happened between them?

But then he remembered how Matthew had been there for him, how he had been patient, understanding. Maybe it was time to let him in just a little bit more.

"I guess I've been thinking about what you said last night," Ray admitted, his voice quieter than he intended.

Matthew's expression softened. "What about it?"

Ray exhaled sharply. "About me letting you in. About trying to trust you again."

Matthew's gaze didn't waver. "And?"

Ray rubbed his thumb along the edge of his sleeve, his nerves building again. "I don't know if I can, Matt. I don't know if I'm ready. It's just... hard for me."

Matthew stepped a little closer, his voice gentle. "I know it's hard. But I'm not asking for perfection. I'm just asking for you to let me be there. To be honest with me."

Ray looked up at him, his heart heavy in his chest. "But what if I mess up? What if I ruin everything again?"

Matthew's smile was small but sincere. "You won't. I promise you, you won't. And if you do, we'll figure it out. Together."

Ray swallowed the lump in his throat. "I don't deserve that," he whispered, more to himself than to Matthew.

Matthew's expression hardened with resolve. "Yes, you do. You've always deserved it."

Ray's chest tightened at the sincerity in Matthew's voice. The words settled in his heart like a weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying all this time.

"I'm scared," Ray admitted quietly, finally letting the truth spill out. "I'm scared that if I trust you, if I let you in, you'll leave. You'll get tired of me and walk away. And I don't think I could handle that."

Matthew's face softened further, his hand reaching out to touch Ray's arm gently. "Ray, I'm not going anywhere. Not unless you push me away. And I don't think you want that."

Ray's breath caught, and for the first time in a long time, the lump in his throat loosened. His heart was still pounding, but it wasn't out of fear anymore. It was out of something else-a mixture of hope and uncertainty, of relief and lingering doubt.

"I don't want that," Ray whispered, almost to himself. "But I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can let you in."

Matthew smiled softly. "Then let me help you. I'll be here when you're ready. No rush, okay?"

Ray stared at him, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt, but all he saw was patience. Understanding. A promise.

---

The rest of the day passed in a haze. Ray couldn't quite focus on anything except for Matthew's words, his presence. It was as if everything else in the world faded to the background when Matthew was near. When the last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Ray felt both relieved and anxious.

The drive to Ray's house was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Matthew didn't push for conversation, giving Ray the space he needed. When they finally pulled up to Ray's house, the sky was just beginning to darken, the first stars beginning to twinkle in the sky.

Ray turned to Matthew as they stepped out of the car. "I guess... we should go inside. It's freezing out here."

Matthew gave him a crooked grin. "Lead the way."

Inside, the familiar warmth of Ray's house wrapped around them, and for a brief moment, everything felt... normal. Ray tried to shake off the lingering tension in his chest as they made their way into the living room. Matthew took a seat on the couch, his posture casual, but Ray could see the way he was watching him. Waiting.

Ray sat down beside him, the silence between them thick with unspoken words.

"Are you okay?" Matthew asked again, breaking the silence.

Ray nodded, but his voice faltered when he spoke. "I think... I think I'm getting there."

Matthew's eyes softened, his hand resting lightly on the couch between them, inches from Ray's. Ray glanced down at it, then back up to Matthew's face, seeing the way his lips curved into a small, patient smile.

Ray's heart fluttered. "I don't know if I can be the person you want me to be," he whispered, his words barely audible.

Matthew's expression didn't change, but his gaze held steady. "Ray, I don't want anyone but you."

Ray let out a shaky breath, his chest tight with emotion. It was almost too much to process. The vulnerability, the truth of it all, was overwhelming. But it was the first time he had ever heard those words, and it hit him harder than he could have imagined.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Ray allowed himself to believe it.

"I don't know what's going to happen next," Ray whispered. "But... I'll try. I'll try to let you in."

Matthew smiled, a smile that reached his eyes. "That's all I need, Ray."

The space between them seemed to shrink as the night stretched on, their conversation slow but steady, like a river slowly carving its path. And for the first time, Ray didn't feel like he was walking alone.

As they sat together, the weight of the world didn't feel quite so heavy anymore.

To be continued...